Fourteen young men and women with diverse backgrounds and interests came together Thursday night with one thing in common: success. They were chosen as the 2013 Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette the Best & the Brightest.

Fourteen young men and women with diverse backgrounds and interests came together Thursday night with one thing in common: success. They were chosen as the 2013 Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette the Best & the Brightest.

In a ceremony at Bristol Community College, each winner was honored for individual accomplishments and a bright future.

“Each year, we receive nominations that just blow us away,” said Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette Editor-in-Chief Lynne Sullivan.

Sullivan said it was a difficult task to “separate great kids from great kids.” But reading their success stories and seeing all they have accomplished at such a young age is one her favorite tasks.

This was the sixth annual Best & Brightest awards ceremony for The Herald News and the third for the Taunton Daily Gazette.

“To the family and friends of the winners, you have a lot to be proud of,” Sullivan said. “We in the community have a lot to be proud of.”

Each winner — seven from the Taunton area and seven from the Fall River area — was chosen by the Community Advisory Board, a group of professionals from different fields.

Mayor Will Flanagan gave welcoming remarks.

“I am very proud of all the recipients,” Flanagan said.

After reading their nominations and various accomplishments, Flanagan said they have done things that “some people aren’t able to accomplish in a lifetime.”

Together, there were eight members of the National Honor Society, two dancers, two who have volunteered in Africa, three who excel in music and two in drama. Some have survived tragedy. Some have scored for their teams. All have volunteered and found the time to help out in their respective communities.

“Keep furthering your education,” Flanagan said. “All of you have bright futures. I wish you nothing but success and happiness.”

Maher, a woman who was and is a success in her own right before the Best & Brightest came about, spoke to the young people and their families about her own successes and gave the kids a few tips on how to stay on track.

Maher said imagining great things for oneself can make them happen. Creating one’s own luck was another tip.

Maher said to know that “you can absolutely have it all.”

She said to “know who has your back” and “visualize” your goals.

Failure, according to Maher, is not the cards.

“The wins matter to me,” Maher said. “When you fail, get up quickly and get yourself back into the win.”

She told the group to share their success stories rather than hide them.

The 2013 Best & Brightest winners from the Fall River area are: Angelique Benoit of Westport, Ian Chaney of Fall River, Thomas Keyes of Westport, Amanda Pimental of Dartmouth, Hunter Reis of Fall River, Megan Rockett of Fall River and Kevin Toland of Swansea.

From the Taunton area, they are: Emily Curley of Taunton, Tess Cushing of Taunton, Christopher Czepiel of Taunton, Gabriella Diniz of Taunton, Emma Kearns of Dighton, Johanna Mullen of Taunton, and Ashley Perry of Taunton.